5-star CeCe Jefferson commits to Florida on National Signing Day

CeCe Jefferson, the No. 7 national recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, committed to Florida over a host of other schools on National Signing Day. Jefferson is a consensus five-star recruit who received an elite composite rating of 0.9951 and is listed as the No. 2 defensive end in the nation.

Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU and Ole Miss were listed as his finalists, and the Rebels were considered the tenuous favorites until very shortly before the announcement. Bud Elliott from a couple weeks ago:

Jefferson has been all over the board. Ole Miss? Auburn due to Muschamp? The in-state Gators? Now Florida State, thanks to the hire of defensive line coach Brad Lawing?

But it was the Gators, in front of a very happy family:

Adding more intrigue, here was his getup moments before his announcement:

Jefferson is a 6’2, 275-pound pass rusher who is lauded for his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. During his time at Baker County Senior High School in Glen Saint Mary, Fla., Jefferson racked up stats, including multiple double-digit sack seasons.

He took an official visit to Cincinnati in December, but did not list the team among his finalists. LSU, Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss were his other four recipients of official visits.

Jefferson received high praise in Elliott’s scouting report, which touted the pass rusher as one who can be an “instant-impact defender:”

“There are very few prospects who have Jefferson’s blend of size and explosion. It is rare to have that level of quick-twitch in an athlete with Jefferson’s frame. Jefferson’s burst off the line is elite, and he can easily speed around tackles. But he is also very strong for his size, and understands how to play low with bend and leverage.”

Jefferson missed most of his senior season due to a shoulder injury that kept him out of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as well.